“Ever wondered about the quirky numbering on this street?” Welcome to Rue Villaret de Joyeuse. This isn’t your average Parisian street. It boasts a unique layout a V-shape to be exact. Its history is as intriguing as its form.
Rue Villaret de Joyeuse in the 17th arrondissement is named after Admiral Louis Thomas Villaret de Joyeuse a prominent figure in the French navy. He served during the Consulate and the Empire. His name is even inscribed on the Arc de Triomphe a testament to his contributions. The street itself wasn’t always here.
The street’s creation is tied to a larger project called Ferdinandville. Initially conceived as a grand radial development it faced setbacks. The planned symmetry and coordination were difficult to achieve. The project finally found success years later. The rue was officially named and opened in 1901. Its opening was thanks to the Marquise de Villaret de Joyeuse the Admiral’s descendant. She even resided at number 1 from 1903 onwards.
An interesting detail. The even-numbered buildings are on the left-hand side unlike the usual Parisian convention. A similar arrangement can be found on Rue Léon Bonnat. Many buildings were designed by architect Ernest Bertrand. This adds a touch of architectural uniformity to the street.
But the story doesn’t end there. Rue Villaret de Joyeuse once housed the headquarters of Le Zèbre automobiles. This company was known for producing small economical and robust cars. Their memorable advertising slogan was “Le Zèbre goes three times faster than a horse and eats three times less!” The company operated from numbers 1 3 and 5 on the street from 1912. It eventually ceased operations in 1931 after several setbacks and a split among founders.
Notice number 9. That’s home to the Ecole Internationale Bilingue a prestigious international school. The famous playwright Tristan Bernard lived on the street until around 1940 or 1941 before moving to Cannes.
Rue Villaret de Joyeuse isn’t just a street it’s a microcosm of Parisian history. A place where naval heroism automotive innovation and educational excellence intertwine in a quirky V-shaped layout. So take a moment to appreciate this unique Parisian gem.